A by election pending in their constituency, Bill and Eddie put posters in their windows - Bill's is for Ted Heath, while Eddie's is for Harold Wilson. 'Darling 'arold' ( as Alf Garnett was wont to refer to him ) is due to pay a visit to the local Labour Club. During a 'friendly' discussion in the Booth household, Bill complains that, being black, he cannot get served in London pubs. Rubbish, retorts Eddie, and wagers £10 that he will be served in the next pub they visit.
To ensure they do not get service because he is white, Eddie puts on brown polish, an Afro-Caribbean wig, and adopts an exaggerated Deep South accent ( "'Gone With The Wind' has a lot to answer for!", grumbles Bill ). They venture into an empty bar ( which looks like that of a hotel ). The snobbish barman ( Frank Thornton ) instantly refuses to serve them. It is not racial prejudice, the bar is not yet open. A customer ( Fred Emney ) mistakes Eddie for one of the Black & White Minstrels...
'Neighbour' was bound to do an episode in which Eddie blacked up, and this is it. Offensive? No more than Gene Wilder's black act in 'Silver Streak' ( 1977 ). Surprisingly, Eddie seems to enjoy the experience. Branding him a socialist was a conscious move on the part of Powell and Driver to distinguish him from Alf Garnett. Also, to ensure their differences would not just be racial. Lots of working class people in those days voted Labour and yet supported Enoch Powell when he made his infamous 'rivers of blood' speech.
Fred Emney's persona was that of a drunken, obese, monocle-wearing buffoon. His presence graced films such as 'The Fast Lady' ( 1963 ) and 'The Italian Job' ( 1969 ).
Funniest moment - Eddie, still wearing the polish ( it won't come off ), shaking hands with Harold Wilson! "Delighted to meet one of our West Indian friends!", says the Leader Of The Opposition.
To ensure they do not get service because he is white, Eddie puts on brown polish, an Afro-Caribbean wig, and adopts an exaggerated Deep South accent ( "'Gone With The Wind' has a lot to answer for!", grumbles Bill ). They venture into an empty bar ( which looks like that of a hotel ). The snobbish barman ( Frank Thornton ) instantly refuses to serve them. It is not racial prejudice, the bar is not yet open. A customer ( Fred Emney ) mistakes Eddie for one of the Black & White Minstrels...
'Neighbour' was bound to do an episode in which Eddie blacked up, and this is it. Offensive? No more than Gene Wilder's black act in 'Silver Streak' ( 1977 ). Surprisingly, Eddie seems to enjoy the experience. Branding him a socialist was a conscious move on the part of Powell and Driver to distinguish him from Alf Garnett. Also, to ensure their differences would not just be racial. Lots of working class people in those days voted Labour and yet supported Enoch Powell when he made his infamous 'rivers of blood' speech.
Fred Emney's persona was that of a drunken, obese, monocle-wearing buffoon. His presence graced films such as 'The Fast Lady' ( 1963 ) and 'The Italian Job' ( 1969 ).
Funniest moment - Eddie, still wearing the polish ( it won't come off ), shaking hands with Harold Wilson! "Delighted to meet one of our West Indian friends!", says the Leader Of The Opposition.
